WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for "Antisocial Pathologies," Episode 22 of Young Justice: Outsiders, streaming now on DC Universe.
Young Justice: Outsiders is creating civil wars all across the board in the latest episode. First, we see Black Lightning exposing Batman, Aquaman/Kaldur'ahm and the other heroes involved in secret teams operating in tandem with the Justice League, which in turn creates a rift with the Outsiders. Then we witnessed Deathstroke seemingly using Terra as his mole for reasons outside of the Light's knowledge, and lastly, it appears the villains have another major issue brewing on their hands as they strive to continue their metahuman-trafficking project across the galaxy.
As more is exposed in the case of the latter, we discover the third season of the series might just have given Darkseid a brand-new yet eerily familiar enemy.
"Antisocial Pathologies" reveals the full scope of Helga Jace's demented plan regarding Geo-Force, Terra and Halo as test subjects, who she thought to be her children. Most importantly, Granny Goodness has cracked the code on the Anti-Life Equation, realizing Halo and the Mother Box trapped inside her organic body is the key to this weapon once combined with the devastating X-Pit. It's a stark revelation Granny makes in front of Ultra-Humanite as she uses Helga as an example of how she'll be subjugating people for the Lord of Apokolips once they extract the full equation using Halo.
At the end of the episode, however, when the Light reconvenes, Granny's nowhere to be found. Klarion, Lex Luthor, Queen Bee and Deathstroke are all speaking to Vandal Savage and updating him on plans, but when Ultra-Humanite sees Granny's missing, he spills the beans on how much he doesn't trust her. He admits, "The galactic balance of power will shift irrevocably once granny hands over the key to this Anti-Life Equation," and this infuriates Vandal to the point that he breaks his clipboard, grunting angrily and scowling as he senses a double-cross.
The other members are fuming as well as they don't want to tip the galactic balance in Apokolips' favor because this means they'll have no leverage and could come under attack. Clearly, the Light are ready to backstab Darkseid before he tries to enslave them. It's survival of the fittest and they all know only the strong will survive, which leads to Vandal's first truly vulnerable moment in the franchise's history.
What's so ironic is that earlier in the episode, when a previous Light meeting concludes, a Boom Tube opens up and Vandal reluctantly accepts the invitation, heading to the fire pits of Apokolips where a stern-looking Darkseid stands tall. We don't know if he's upset as this is his usual demeanor, but the scene cuts before we get to hear any of their conversation.
We also don't know if Darkseid brings up the Equation but given Vandal's reaction later on, as he's taken by surprise, it doesn't appear so. It's worth noting that at that point Darkseid didn't know about Halo as she's only taken to the Orphanage at the end of the episode.
RELATED: Young Justice: Outsiders Finally Reveals Helga Jace's Evil Mentor
What's pretty intriguing, too, is Granny blatantly talks about the Equation in front of Humanite, and so, she has to know he'll report this to the Light. We don't know who's lying or playing ignorant, so this could be another ruse between Vandal and Darkseid, or Darkseid might simply be trying to play Earth's villains. But as it stands, Humanite's info looks set to turn Vandal against the New God, and it's more than likely the Light will fight alongside him against Apokolips' army if push comes to shove.
It doesn't seem Darkseid has any plans to share this weapon and Vandal could well be rallying the troops to take it themselves from their business associate before it's used on them.
New episodes of Young Justice: Outsiders premiere Tuesdays throughout the summer on DC Universe.